Google Facing Legal Action In UK Over ‘Safari-Gate’

Google continues to deal with the fallout from “Safari-gate” privacy scandal that led to a record fine (for a single company) from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission last August. The company was fined $22.5 million.

Now, iPhone users in the UK are getting together to sue Google over the debacle. The Guardian reports:

At least 10 British iPhone users have started legal proceedings and dozens more are being lined up, according to Dan Tench, the lawyer behind the action at the London-based firm Olswang.

“This is the first time Google has been threatened with a group claim over privacy in the UK,” he said. “It is particularly concerning how Google circumvented security settings to snoop on its users. One of the things about Google is that it is so ubiquitous in our lives and if that’s its approach then it’s quite concerning.”

There is a Facebook Group called “Safari Users Against Google’s Secret Tracking,” which has been set up by the law firm in connection with the users who are going after Google. In the “About” section, the description says:

This group has been set up to provide information for anyone who used the Safari internet browser between September 2011 and February 2012, and who was illegally tracked by Google.

Any users in the UK may have a claim against Google for this breach of their privacy. Other users, who have set up this group, are taking action against Google to hold them to account.

…

Members of this informal group have instructed the leading technology and media law firm, Olswang, to begin an action against Google.

If you have concerns or want to join the action, contact us via this group and we will share your views or put you in touch with the legal team.

It will be interesting to see how many users get on board with this, and what it ends up meaning for Google. A press release from Olswang has more on the case.